Lock.



D. D. FRIX.

, LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY11,19I6.

1,260,763- Y Patented Mar. 26, 191s.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M an D' ,Cif/'K' CMM I y J/ j@ D. D; FRIX Loox. APPLICATION FILED MAY'H. 1916.

1,260,763. Pmmmar, 26,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 D.` D. rmx.

L'OCK. APFLICAFION FILED MAY Il. 1916. 1,260,763. Patented Mar. 26, 1918 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 narran sra'rns rarnnr ernten.

DON D. FRIX, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Loox.

T 0 all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, DoN D. Flux, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to that general class of devices known as locks, and relates particularly to that class known as coin controlled locks, wherein a.coin or other token must be deposited before the lock can be actuated or controlled to` perform the desired function.

The invention has among its objects the production of a lock of the kind described that is simple, convenient, durable, compact, efficient and satisfactory, for use wherever found applicable.

The invention has particularly as an object the production of a locking device which is especially suitable for use upon parcel checking lockers or compartments, wherein articles to be checked may be placed in the locker, and upon deposit of a proper' token the lock may be thrown to lock the locker, the depositor withdrawing the key and taking the same as his check. lVhen he desires he can return to the locker, insert. his key and unlock the same, leaving the key in the lock and secured therein.

The invention also has as an object the production of a lock in which the key cannot be withdrawn or the device locked without first depositing the coin, and in the construction illustrated it is necessary to perform an eXtra operation before the key may be actuated to unlock the` device, the object of this being more fully explained hereafter.

The invention also has as afurther object the production of a device in which the'slot is vertical, in which the moving parts substantially all move with the bar and a device which cannot be partially locked and the bar then retracted., y

It has as an additional object-the production of a device in which the slot is closed and the insertion of additionalcoins or tokens, or wire or the like prevented after the key has been slightly turned and until the bar has been completely thrown into locking position and then completely retracted, th'e coin being deposited in the till immediately upon the completion of the travel of the bar to locking position. In the preferred construction shown the successive i Specification of Letters Patent. Patented M31-, 26, 1918. Application mea may 11. 191e. serial no. 96,796.

operations of the lock'are recorded, thereby permitting the checking of the contents of the till. Many other objects and advalr tages,other than those herein stated, will be obvious to those skilled in thc art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and com bination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, whcreinlike or corre sponding characters indicate like or corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lock with thebolt thrown into locking position;

Fig. 2 is a I'ear elevation of the same, the bolt retracted;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantiallyon line fi, fi, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a similar' sectional view, slightly enlarged, taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substautially on line G6 of Fig. 2;

` Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substan tially on line 7 7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of a portion of the device with the latch bar thrown into locking position;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of the device;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the latch bolt 18;

Fig. 11 is a perspective 'view of the member 53;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of member 27, and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of meinber 38.

Referring to the drawings, in which only the preferred form of the device is shown, 1 represents a suitable body plate, which may be flanged as at 2 and 3, it heilig understood that the body plate inay be secured to the door frame or door of the locker or compartment in any suitable manner. Ordinarily the same is placed on the door frame in such position that the latch bolt 18 will en gage the free edge of the door, or a suitable part carried thereby. Broadly speaking, my inventionl consists in its entirety and preferred construction in suitable key controlled or key actuated mechanism, together with coin controlled mechanism for In the construction shown I have provided a well known type of key controlled mechy.at

anism, consisting of a rotatable barrel 4, arranged within a casing 5, the casing being preferably provided wit a plate or flange 6, which may be secured t0 the back side of the lock plate 1 by screws 7, or their equivalents for the purpose. As will be noted the barrel 4 and the easing also, if desired, project through to the front side of the part 1, so that the key 8 may be inserted thereat. The casing is provided with suitable tumblers coperating with tumblers in the' barrel 4, which tumblers are manipulated or controlled by the key. This part of my device is a well known type of lock mechanism, and as any equivalent may be employed it is not necessary to describe the construction and operation of the same, other than to say that by inserting the key the tumblers are so alined or manipulated that the barrel 4 is or may be turned. The casing 5 is shown extended as at 9 to form a chamber for the tumblers referred to.

Arranged on the back of the plate 1, and carrying the lock bolt 18, i's a plate 10, which is preferably flanged as at 11 and 12 at each side, the same being secured to the body 1 by screws 13, or their equivalents for the purpose. The lock bar 18 is slidably carried by the flanges of the plate 10 and flange 2 of the plate 1. The flanges 11 and 12 are each provided with an opening 17, and the flange 2 of the body plate with an opening 16 in alinement therewith, the same carrying the bar and permitting the same to move out into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

The preferred construction of the latch bolt 18 may be best understood by referring to Figs. 6 and 10. The same is shown with a notch 19 having one side slightly rounded as at 20. The same is also notched or formed with shoulders 21 and 22 on the top face. At the back the same is notched or recessed as at 23 and formed with an inclined or cam face 24. The same is also preferably notched as at 25 and it may be v provided with holes 26 for the purpose here- Carried by the inafter set forth. The purposes of the shoulders 21 and 22, recess 23 and face 24, together with the notches 25, will be hereafter described in full in connection with the several parts coperating with the same.

' lock bar 18 is a coin containing or receiving member, consisting of the two sides 27, which are suitably connected to constitute substantially a U shaped part open at the side and bottom (see F1 12) and which are flanged as at 28-28 t mav bel mentioned that the coin receiver is -is not -in the chamber.

constructed of a size to correspond with the particular token which it is intended shall be used to control the operation of the lock, or be placed in the coin chamber or the space 29. The part is shown provided with flanges 28, as stated, which form a bearing surface against the plate 10, and close the slots in plates 1 and 10. As shown in 12, the upper ends are extended slightly above the top of the sides 27 and provided with holes 30 arranged to register with the holes 26 when the latch bolt is assembled on the coin container with the sides 2T positioned on the notches 25, as most clearly shown in Fig. 8. The coin container and lock bar 18 may be secured together by rivets 31, or their equivalents for the purpose, extending through holes 30 and 26, as shown in the above ligure. The plate 10 and body platel 1 are slotted as at 32, the position of the slot being such that the same will reg ister with the space 29, or coin chamber when the lock bar is in the position shown in Figs. 2, and 7. rThe barrel 4 is provided with an extending part 14, arranged to engage in the notch 19 so that thc bar 18 may be thrown by actuating the `barrel 4. The extension 14 may be secured to or carried by the barrel in any desired manner, as shown, it is extended at 15 and secured to the barrel by screws, the casing being cut away to permit this arrangement and movement or roclo ing of the barrel (see Figs. 4, 5 and 9).

As most clearly shown in Fig. 12, the coin receiver is provided with an L shaped slot 34-35 through each side, and with the holes 36 and 37. Suitably carried by the flange 12, as shown by the bracket 45 secured to the flange, is a dog or locking member 38. Member 38 is provided with a depending part 39 provided with a slightly inclined shoulder 40, and with an extension 41 having shoulder 41. The same is also preferably formed as at 42 at the end and provided with a hole 43, tl'irough which extends a pin or bolt 44, pivotally securing the dog to the bracket 45. Arranged to coperate with the end 42 of the dog is a spring 46, the same be1ng shown secured tothe flange 12 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 8) and it normally retains the dog in the pos1tion shown in Fig. 2, with the shoulder 41 engaging one of the sides 27 below the slot 34 (see Fig. 3). By so engaging, movement of the lock bar 18 and the com receiver is prevented when a coin Positioned within the receptacle and carried by pin 48, extending through the holes 37, is a pawl, or dog 47, or its equivalent, which .is preferably formed with a shoulder 49. Ordinarily the dog hangs in the position indicated in Fig. 9, so that it is entirely clear of the part 38, When a com is dropped into the receptacle, however, the weight of the coin throws thev dog substantially in the position indicated in Fig. 9. I have also shown a bar 0r pin 51, carried by the flange 12, the same being formed to extend through the opening' 36 of the two walls 27 It constitutes` an obstruction in the opening or space 29, and supports the token except when the lock bar and receptacle are thrown to and reach the extreme locking position (see Fig. 8).

Arranged adjacent the lock bar, as shown between the lock bolt and the plate 10, is a pawl or dog 53, which is shown in perspective in Fig. 11. This dogy is provided with an opening 54, through which is extended the pin 54 pivotally securing the same in place. The dog is provided with an end 55 arranged to coperate with the spring 56, and with an extension forming a shoulder 57 arranged to coperate with the shoulders 21 and 22 of the latch bar.

Preferably carried by the plate 1, and projecting therethrough, is a member 58, the same being tapered as at 59, and arranged'to extend into the recess 23, or coperate with the inclined or cam face 24 on the latch bolt. Member 58 is formed with an extending end 60, and may be Operated or controlled in any suitable manner. As most clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 9, the Same is arranged to cooperate with a push button 61, which is arranged inthe part 62 carried by the plate 1, a spring 63 operating to normally ma1ntain the ush button 61 in the positions shown in t e above figures. It maybe men- Y tioned that the push button is substantially like any of the well known push buttons, and after the lsame has been pushed in and released the spring returns it to its normal out position. The purpose ofthe push button is t0 force the member 58, particularly the cam or beveled end 59, into the recess v23 and co-act with the dog 53, raising the same Asubstantially into the position shown in Fig.

2, this being more fully explained in the operation of the device. The ca m face 24 returns the same to its outposition.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for registering or recording the successive operations of the lock.- For this purpose I have shown an adding mechanism, including the dial members 66 shown in Fig. 1, these being suitably actuated and controlled in any suitable manner from the shaft 68. The registering mechanism is arranged in a casing 67, secured to the back of the plat-e 1. Arranged on shaft 68 is an arm 69 which is suitably connected by the link and arm 71 to the barrel 4, Sc that at each operation of the key, either in throwing the latch bolt to operative or inoperative position, depending on the arrangement, the movement will be recorded. Inasmuch as the particular mechanism Within the casing 67 forms no part of .the present invention in itself, and any equivalent may be employed, 1 do not con- Sider it necessary to illustrate or describe the i fm same in detail, other than to say that rocking shaft 68 advances the dials regularly to indicate the successive operations.

The operation of the complete device may be briefly described as follows:

Assuming that the lock is unlocked so that the parts are substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with the latch bar retracted within the device, so that the door of the compartment or locker to which the lock is Aapplied may be opened or closed without interference. Assuming that it is desired to lock the cabinet or locker, in which case the door is closed and the .coin 50 inserted through the coin slot 32, the same falling into the coin receiver or in the space 29. The slot is preferably made `of a size to closely fit the size .of token intended to be used, so that bent or defaced tokens cannot be used. The coin or token 50 swings the dog 47 into the position shown in Fig. 9, but owing to the obstruction 51, the coin is prevented from dropping down through the botton of the coin receiver, the same being open at the bottom as heretofore explained. The dog being in the position shown in Fig. 9, if the key is turned in a direction to swing the extension 14, as shown in Fig. 8,the tendency of the latch bar and coin receiver is vto move. Vithout a coin, however, the dog 51 until the bar reaches its extreme position,

at which time the coin receiver is moved with it until the obstruction 51 is without the coin receiver (see Fig. 8) and the coin immediatelv drops into the till. 1 have not shown the till nor the chute leading to the same, ordinarily several lockers being assembled and a common till provided with chutes leading from several locks to the till.

As the latch bar 18 and coin receiver start to move, one of the flanges 28 immediately covers the coin slot 32` :and after a slight movement dog 53 drops to engage the first shoulder 22. The dog 53 .prevents the key being turned to retract thebar. Continued movement of the key throws the latch bar to its extreme position, and dog 53 engages the shoulder 21 on the latch bar. At this time the barrel is thrown to a position where the key may be withdrawn, the tumblers coacting to lock the barrel against movement. The user of the locker may then use the key as his check, leaving his possessions securely locked in the compartment or locker. When he desires to repossess himself of his propkey crty he returns to the compartment and inserts the key. It is necessary, however, in the construction shown, for him to first push the button 6l, thereby moving the member 58, so that the end 59 will move and extend into the recess 23 and engage dog 53. This movement of the button causes the dog 53 to be raised, as indicated in Fig. 2, clearing the shoulders 21 and 22; The key may then be turned to retract the bar, as shown in Fig. 2. As it is retracted cam face 24 engages end 59 of member 58, returning the same to its outward position. `As soon as the bar is retracted, however, there being no coin in the coin receiver, 'and dog 4:7 hanging, as indicated in Fig. 5, the dog 38 en* gages the coin receiver wall 27 and prevents further locking movement of the latch bar, coin receiver and lock barrel until a new coin is deposited, the coin slot and space 29 being alined and ready for a new coin. The

1s also locked until a new token is inserted. At each movement of the barrel, shaft 68 is rocked by means of the arm 71, link 70 and arm 69. When the barrel is moved in one direction the dials are suitably advanced, and when moved in the other direction the parts set for the next movement of the dials. The dog or pawl 38 prevents the operation of the lock bar without de positing the coin, so the register cannot be actuated unless a coin is dropped in the till.

From the preceding description it will be noted that the coin slot is closed against the admission of a coin except at such time as the various parts are in position to receive it. It will also be noted that with the preferred construction it is necessary to perform some operation other than the mere insertion of the key, before the device is unlocked. The reason for this is that occasionally the party using the locker inserts his coin, locks the compartment and then even before withdrawing the key, or perhaps immediat-ely after withdrawing it, thinks of something that he desires to put in or remove from the locker, and unless a push button were provided would thoughtlessly unlock the device. His coin having been deposited in the till, it would be impossible for him to again lock the same without inserting a new coin, and in such case he might feel that he had been imposed upon and paid his money without obtaining any return for it. By requiring him to push the button, however, he is forcibly reminded by this additional operation that the complete cycle of operations for which he has paid his money is finished. This is the primary object in having this manually controlled rather than having it controlled automatically, as for example by first requiring the withdrawal of the key. It is also less apt to get out of order or become disarranged. It is impossible also because of the dog 53 to retract the bolt in an endeavor to push out the token. It might be mentioned also .that the coin slot being closed, almost immediately the key `is turned, the device cannot be operated or picked by means of. a wire or other device inserted through the slot and used to manipulate the dog 47. With the present lock there is a minimum of parts, and with the exception of the springs 46, 5G and 63, or springs in the lock casing, the lock is springless.- These springs in themselves might break and yet the lock would not be inoperative, in view of the fact that they merely facilitate the operation of the parts and supplement gravity, and do not alone control them. As for instance, the weight of the dogs 53 and 38 would tend to cause them to return to operative engaging positions. i

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing ,from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a lock bar, means for slidably carrying'said lock bar, actuating mechanism for said lock bar, a token receiver carried by said lock bar and slidable therewith, and token controlled mechanism cooperating therewith for normally engaging the same and preventing the movement of said lock bar, comprising a. latch member, and a coin actuated release member disposed within the coin receiver.

2. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably carried thereby, key controlled actuating mechanism for said lock bar, a token receiver carried by and movable with said bar, said plate provided with a slot for the insertion of tokens, said slot disposed at a point to register with the receiver when the bar is retracted to an inoperative position, token controlled actuating mechanism arranged to normally control the movement of said lock bar.

3. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably carried thereby, key controlled actuating mechanism for said lock bar, a token receiver carried by and movable with said bar, said plate provided with a vertical slot for the insertion of tokens, said slot disposed at a point to register with the receiver when the bar is retracted to an inoperative position, token controlled actuating mechanism arranged to normally control the movement of said lock bar, means for supporting the token in the token receiver at all points except when in its extreme locking position. j i

4. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably carried thereby, key controlled actuating mechanism for said lock bar, a token receiver carried by and movable with said bar, said plate provided with a slot for the insertion of tokens at a pointJ to register with the receiver when the bar is retracted to an inoperative position, token controlled and 'actuated mechanism arranged to normally control the movement of said bar comprising a latch member carried by a portion of the plate and vextending into the token receiver, andmeans within the receiver for releasing said latch.`

5. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably carried thereby, key controlled actuating mechanism for said lock bar, a token receiver carried by and movable with said bar, said plate provided with a slot for the insertion of tokens at a point to register with the receiver when the bar is retracted to an inoperative position, token controlled and actuated mechanism arranged to normally control the movement of said bar, means for closing the slot after an initial movement of the key.

6. In a lock of the kind described and in combination,I a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably carried thereby, .key controlled actuating mechanism for said lock bar, a token receiver carried by and movable with said bar, said plate provided with a slot for the insertion of tokens at a point to register with the receiver when the bar is retracted to an inoperative position, token controlled and actuated mechanism arranged to normally control the movement of said bar comprising a latch member projecting into the token receiver and arrangedto engage the same, and a latch releasing member arranged to coperate therewith to disengage the latch member' upon the insertion of a token in the receiver after a predetermined movement of the receiver.

7. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a lock bar, means for slidably supporting said bar, means for actuating said bar, and means for normallypreyenting the actuation of said bar, comprising a dog pivotally carried by said lock bar supporting means, said dog provided wlth a shoulder arranged to engage a suitable part carried by said lock bar, and means movable with said lock bar, and operable by a suitable token for disengaging said locking dog upon insertion of said token and the movement of the lock bar.

8.. In a lock of the kind described and in combination. a plate of suitable form, a lock bar slidably carried by said plate, key-controlled actuating mechanism for said bar, a coin receptacle operatively connected with said bar, a pawl carried by said plate ard ranged to normally engage said receptacle, and coin actuated means in said receptacle for releasing the said locking pawl upon movement of said lock bar and coin receptacle.

9. In a lock ofthe kind described and in combination, a plate, a locking bar slidably carried by said plate, key actuated mechanism for moving said bar, a coin receptacle carried by said bar, a locking pawl carried by said plate, and arranged to normally engage said receptacle, a co-acting dog arranged within said receptacle and operable by a token placed therein to release the said pawl on the deposit of the tokenin the receptacle.

10. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably carried thereby on one of the iaces thereof, key controlled actuating mechanism for said lock bar, coin actuated controlling mechanism for said lock bar, comprising a coin receptacle carriedby the bar, a pawl arranged to normally engage said coin receptacle and prevent movement of the same and said bar, a pawl carried in said receptacle, and movable into the path of said first mentioned pawl upon the deposit of a coin in the receptacle, whereby upon move,- ment of the receptacle said awl contained therein will co-act with said) locking pawl and release the same. l

11. In a lo'ck of thevkind described and in combination, a body plate, an auxiliary plate secured thereto and flanged at its sides, a lock bar arranged on said auxiliary plate and slidably carried by said ianges, said lock bar-provided with a notch in one edge thereof, and with-a shoulder in one of the edges, said lock bar also having a recess and Cam face at the side adjacent said auxiliary plate, key-controlled and actuated mechanism carried by said plates, consisting of a casing secured to one plate, and a rotatable barrel arranged therein and projecting through to the front face of the other plate, and means coperating with and releasable by the key for locking said barrel against operation, said barrel provided with apart projectin into and engaging the notch in said lock ar, a coin receiver carried by said lock bar and movable therewith, `said receiver comprising a substantially U-shaped part open at one side and the bottom, said plates provided with a vertical slot registering with said, open side of said receiver when the lock bar is retracted to an inoperative position, said receiver provided with an L- shaped slot through the same in both sides, a locking en carried by one of said flanges tlm and projecting through said L-shaped slot and engaging the side of the receiver at one of the exterior faces thereof, a co-acting dog arranged within the receiver and movable in a direction to engage said locking dog upon movement of the receiver, said co-acting dog positioned in the path of the token entering through said slot into the receiver, whereby the token will cause the co-acting dog to engage tlie locking dog, a coin support carried by one of said flanges on said auxiliary plate, and projecting into the receiver, constituting an obstruction therein, said supy:ort of a length to release and permit the coin to drop through when the lock bar is moved toits operative position.

12. Ina lock of the kind described and lin combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably supported thereon, said plate having a vertical slot therein, a token receiver carriedv by said bar and arranged thereon to register with said slot when the bar is at one end of its travel, token controlled mechanism for normally locking said bar in position, and mechanism Jfor actuating the bar.

13. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably supported thereon,"said plate having a vertical slot therein in proxlmity to the bar at one side thereof, a token receiver and carrier, carried by said bar and arranged thereon to register with said slot when the bar is at one end of its travel and' in an-inoperative position, token controlled mechanism for normally locking said bar in position, and independent key-controlled mechanism for actuating the bar.

14. In a lock of the kind described and in combination, a suitably formed plate, a lock bar slidably supported thereon,said plate having a vertical slot therein in proximity to the bar at one side thereof, a token receiver carried by said bar and arranged thereon to register with said slot when the bar is at one end of its travel, token controlled mechanism for normally locking said bar in position, and independent mechanism for actuating the bar.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DON D. FRIX. Witnesses:

ROY W. HILL, CHARLES I. COBB. 

